Sand Hill Elementary School is committed to helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment. Our mission to learn, grow and serve defines our instructional focus.
We ensure that our vision is realized by challenging our students and maintaining high expectations with rigor and relevance. Through an intense focus on building strong professional learning communities (PLCs) and continuous professional development, our talented teachers utilize best practices and effective instructional techniques to help students reach their full potential and become college and career-ready.
With a continued focus on literacy, numeracy, and infusion of technology, our students develop 21st Century skills in critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving that positively impact their world and future. During the 2022-23 school year, we provided a math/literacy coach for 4K-2. Using ESSER funding, our Sandpipers and all Dorchester School District Two students reaped the benefits of having a K-5 math coach. We continued to utilize curriculum materials purchased the previous year to support reading and math instruction in small groups.
Our 2022-23 school year theme was “Limitless” because we believe that all students can achieve rigorous goals given the necessary tools and skills. Our teachers worked tirelessly, focusing on the best ways for students to grow. Our district-wide one-to-one technology initiative allowed every student to utilize a digital device. It allowed teachers to incorporate digital devices into their differentiated instruction rotations as they provided small-group, targeted instruction.
The district continued utilizing Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as an interim benchmark assessment during the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, the school district provided common, formative assessments that tracked student performance on specific indicators throughout the year. Sand Hill faculty and staff utilized these tools to analyze data to inform instruction and academic improvement. We celebrated students and teachers for growth and achievement, and we saw students take ownership of their learning as they set goals for themselves and their academic performance.
We have continued to use the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Rewards program, and our counseling department continues to provide support through classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, and individual check-ins, as needed.
The faculty and staff of Sand Hill Elementary believe the school, family, and community must share the educational responsibility of our Sandpipers. We are grateful to all of our stakeholders for their support in helping to develop our future South Carolina graduates and world leaders!
Pastor Jerome Pender, Chairperson, School Improvement Council
Ms. Francina Gerald, Principal
